Daily Office Readings, Year 2
  Proper Twenty-Two   

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

KEY VERSE: "If a liar and deceiver comes and says, 'I will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer,' he would be just the prophet for this people!" --Micah 2:11 (NIV)


The story is told of two brothers who lived in a small town for decades and whose behavior was atrocious.  They had both been unfaithful to their wives, abused their children and were known for cheating and dishonesty in their business dealings.

When the younger brother died unexpectedly, the older brother went to the pastor of the community church, asking him to conduct his brother's funeral.  He said, "It's important to me that during the service you tell everyone my brother was a saint.

The pastor objected that this would be untrue, so the brother took out his checkbook and wrote a $100,000 check to the church.  "All I ask is that you publicly say my brother was a saint."

The pastor wrestled with his conscience, and on the day of the funeral was perturbed to see most of the town present for the services. The pastor got up, and said, "Everybody knows that the deceased was very wicked -- a drunkard and a womanizer. He bullied others and cheated on his taxes.  But",he paused, "as bad as he was, compared to his older brother, he was a saint!"

Not telling a lie is one of those virtues taught to us since childhood,but not necessarily always followed.   As far back as the days of Thomas Aquinas some lies were seen as more serious than others. Aquinas said there were three categories of lies -- jokes, helpful lies, and malicious lies. He considered only malicious lies a mortal sin.

A general guide that proves useful for me is Christ's admonition that we should love our neighbor.  I have given some untruthful answers -- out of love -- over the years.   I had a retarded foster child who was especially sensitive after being teased by schoolmates.  "Mommy,I'm smart, aren't I?" Rosa would ask.  I would hug her and say she was not only smart, she was a sweet and wonderful girl.  If I had decided to tell her that she was sweet and wonderful, but not smart, I don't think that would have met Christ's standard of love -- or even mine!

What Micah speaks against is not lies told in love, but lies told to avoid an ugly truth which would call for repentance and change.

Hmm -- I wonder what Micah would think of the current crop of political aspirants and all the campaign rhetoric I see and hear during this election season?

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:  An honest man is someone you could play checkers with over the telephone.

PRAYER:  Dearest Lord Jesus, You tell us that you are the way and the truth.  Sometimes truth is in short supply in our lives. Help us today and always to tell the truth in love and to discern spiritual truth as we study your word.  Amen.
  
JOURNALING NOTES:

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